GUILFORD COUNTY, N.C. — It might sound like common sense, but you need to hear it: No wipes, in pipes.
"A full 30 percent, since March, of our sanitary sewer overflows have been related to wipes, so that's pretty staggering," said Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Utilities Public Information Officer Gale Ketteler.
Pandemic panic buying and subsequent toilet paper shortages have resulted in folks flushing paper towels and wipes down the toilet.
Operations Manager Adam Conn said the city of Greensboro has seen the same uptick in pump clogs and sewer spills.
"Please don't flush anything except toilet paper," Conn pleaded.
He estimated a 10 percent to 15 percent increase in clogs since the start of the coronavirus pandemic. That number is projected to get worse.